how do Trachycarpus spears grow?

[cordyman]

The appearance they give looks like the spear grows right down the trunk and then when ready slowly pushout. If you cut one down the middle how far into the trunk do they actually grow?

Or does the growing point sit quite close to the head and the spear and stem forms just out of your sight?

[turtile]

The depth of the growing point depends on the health of the plant. The lowest live petioles are a good measure of the depth of the growing point (not all the time though).

[redsquirrel]

The depth of the growing point depends on the health of the plant. The lowest live petioles are a good measure of the depth of the growing point (not all the time though).

that is the most useful answer to any question for me that ive heard in ages.often wondered how you worked this out. thanks Turtile
will help me know next year how far i can cut back damaged plants

[Tom2006]

Very interesting especially considering the home grown waggies I have just bought as they have leaves very low down and are suppose to be very hardy.

[Yorkshire Kris]

The depth of the growing point depends on the health of the plant. The lowest live petioles are a good measure of the depth of the growing point (not all the time though).

Valuable piece of information now learnt, Cheers Turtile

[cordyman]

The depth of the growing point depends on the health of the plant. The lowest live petioles are a good measure of the depth of the growing point (not all the time though).

Not sure i understand that, could anyone describe based on my pic?

[DiCasS]

Nooooo, read it wrong

Di

[cordyman]

What's the petiole? Rofl

[kata]

I think its a stem,

I just saw a frog sat on a leaf, file is names 'frog holding on petiole' - stock photo.

Here is a drawing of a petiole, why don't they just say stem...lmaooooooooooo

http://lt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vaizdas:Pe ... PSF%29.png

[DiCasS]

Go 2. If you've got say 10cm of petiole showing on your newest leaf, and your longest one is say 30cm, then you've got 20cm left in the trunk to grow. I think


Di

[kata]

Cordy and myself need an explanation of petiole,

Where on the palm is it situated......please?

Am I close with stem?

Go 2. Whats that DI

[DiCasS]

Kata, yes stalk. Since I first found out it was called a petiole, always called it one then. Would seem strange calling it a stalk now

Go 2. Read it wrong the first time. Probably read it wrong the second time
But still not sure if this answers Cordy's question

Someone will say.


Di

Edit: for R.P.

[redsquirrel]

i read it as this.ive marked the lowest live petioles on this plant so assume the growing point would be around this area if turtiles info is correct. makes good sense to me,anyone else concur??

[DiCasS]

Aah, okay, got it now, thanks

Thats a might fine Trachycarpus you've got there Darren, very bushy and compact

Di

[simon]

Here is a drawing of a petiole, why don't they just say stem...lmaooooooooooo

Because the stem is something else. The petiole is the part that connects a leaf to the stem. The stem is the supporting structure of the plant.

This is why on bananas it is known as a pseudostem. It is not realy a stem because the supporting structure is actually made of long petioles that connect directly to the corm.